HOA Law Blog

SANDRA GOTTLIEB AWARDED SPEAKER OF THE YEAR
BY THE SACRAMENTO CHAPTER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE

On December 4, 2008, Sandra Gottlieb (and other members of her panel) was awarded the coveted Speaker of the Year Honors by the Sacramento Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI) for her role in a panel program “Managing Foreclosures”.

This is what the Sacramento Chapter had to say about Sandra Gottlieb (the panel) and this award:

With over 105 in attendance, the Managing Foreclosures luncheon drew the largest attendance of the year. Thank you to Sandra, Susan (Oliver) and Rolf (Crocker) for your dedication to the continued education for this Chapter.

They went on to say the following regarding Sandra Gottlieb:

Sandra is truly a dynamic speaker. Sandra, as well as the panel, turned a difficult subject into a valuable and informative seminar. Her knowledge and expertise in the industry is without measure. Her insight, experience and personality reflect her dedication to CAI and the HOA industry. Sandra really knows what it takes to survive in this ever-changing industry.

With the world’s economy in turmoil and a significant increase in the unemployment rate, experts are forecasting a big increase in the number of bankruptcy filings in 2009. If your Association receives a Notice of Bankruptcy filing by one of its owners, don’t panic as there are some remedies. But you must take quick action to protect the association's rights.

Continue reading " THE HOMEOWNER FILED BANKRUPTCY; FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM " »

Reported by the Associated Press

WASHINGTON (Dec. 16) -- Unless new anti-drowning drain covers are installed, tens of thousands of public swimming pools and hot tubs could be forced to close Saturday under a sweeping law designed to prevent drain suction from trapping children underwater.

The rules apply to pools and spas used by the public, including municipal pools and those at hotels, private clubs, apartment buildings and community centers. (CID's are included.)

NBC's Today show ran a news story on this issue.

Continue reading " Drain Rule May Close Thousands of Pools " »

This article was part of a Vendome Group newsletter. Turns out that some of our clients have had squatters as well, running extension cords to common area power outlets and taking showers and using the toilet at the common area pool. Here is the article:

With the housing market in free fall, squatting in foreclosed homes is increasingly becoming a concern. A recent report from the Miami area of Florida illustrates just how bold squatters may become. Apparently, an activist in Miami is helping homeless people move illegally into foreclosed homes.

Continue reading " Rising Foreclosures May Mean More Squatters " »

The 2009 Condominium Bluebook by Branden Bickel and D. Andrew Sirkin has been published and will soon be available to the general public. The Bluebook is a useful tool for California homeowner associations, providing quick reference to state statutes and court cases, as well as useful forms for required notices and other documents.

This year's Bluebook contains a form (at Chapter 17) entitled "Model Election Rules" which we do not believe is suitable for most associations to simply reproduce and adopt as their election rules as required by Civil Code Section 1363.03. In fact, we doubt that any form election rules could possibly be created to suit all California homeowner associations because election rules are subject to an association's CC&Rs and Bylaws. The provisions in CC&Rs and Bylaws applicable to the election rules vary widely from one association to the next. Following are just a few examples of why we believe the Bluebook's form election rules are erroneous:

Continue reading " Condominium Bluebook's "Model Election Rules" Cannot be Utilized Without Compliance with the Civil Code and the Association's Governing Documents " »

Interesting news report on NPR (National Public Radio) on the effect that this financial crisis is having on community associations:

Homeowners associations across the country are being hit hard by the foreclosure crisis. Millions of dollars of monthly dues are going unpaid. Neighbors are left to pick up the tab — if they can.

Rachael Myrow reports. Listen to her 3.5 minute broadcast; it does not tell us anything we already do not know, but it is certainly interesting to see that the plight of community associations is not something that is being ignored.

Click here to read an interesting article discussing what we all know, that some owners cannot afford their homes and are not paying their regular or special assessments. They may lose their homes. And this comes from North Carolina.